Color & Design  

You’ve probably seen plenty of picture‑perfect homes credited to a designer, often with a recognizable signature look or vibe. In those cases, an interior designer is responsible for the entire design from start to finish, including the procurement and installation of every design element involved. They handle inventory, and take on project management. It’s less hands-on for the client, but also a larger investment and commitment than color & design consulting. There are benefits to both, so it’s important to know which type of design service is best for you.   Every project is different, and so is the kind of support you might need. Maybe you’re looking for a single session to fill in design gaps or refine ideas, or maybe you’d like more help creating a cohesive design concept from scratch. It’s not uncommon for clients I’ve worked with to work on their homes over time, little by little. Color and design consulting is flexible in that regard- you impact how our consultation time is utilized and the pace.

The first step is to schedule your free 20-minute discovery call. During this call, we’ll talk about your goals, answer any questions you have, and see if my services are the right fit for you. It’s a simple, no-pressure way to get started!

As a color & design consultant I will objectively look at your space, and learn about your personal preferences. From our collaboration, and applying design principles- I’ll help you create or refine a vision for the space and provide practical suggestions for you to execute on your time table. Design decisions, purchasing and installments are up to you. If you find you want more help as you begin to put the pieces of the plan together, I can work with you on an hourly basis.  Think of me as your design partner, educator and sounding board. I’ll guide the process and give you recommendations but your input is foundational and essential to the outcome. It’s my job to empower you to make design decisions that you’re happy with and that prepare you before you hire a contractor, start a renovation or invest in furnishings.

Color selection, when done well, takes into account your spaces’ natural lighting and exposure, color as it pertains to your unique space & style (including an overview of design elements at play), color theory, and the building itself. With so many options, getting overwhelmed is a real problem people face- understandably so! Couple that with the big investment paint and/or labor is- you want to get it right the first time- being able to enjoy your color selections for years to come. When you work with me, I narrow down options, and hand select a curated scheme for my clients that takes all of the aforementioned variables into account. You have the benefit of my design AND color knowledge, with a level of customized advice you won't find at the paint store. How much can get accomplished in one consultation depends on layout, and how many spaces/colors we’re looking at. If you have a color family you love and have found some ideas, we can narrow down to the right shade(s). On the other hand, if you don’t know what you want, we’ll spend some time exploring that. I help my clients gain a better understanding of why color works well and why it doesn’t, which builds trust and confidence.

I’ll take the time to listen to your likes and dislikes, and how you use your space so I can gain a better understanding of your goals and expectations. Typically for any given room or project our consulting time together will start with an initial consultation and that may be sufficient, or a few subsequent meetings will be needed, depending on the scope and nature of your project. During that initial in-person or virtual consultation, I’ll provide feedback to help you consider ways of maximizing flow, function or visual balance and we’ll discuss priorities for the space & identify key design elements. Anything from lighting, furnishings, paint colors, furniture arrangements and layout etc. We will look at color cards and/or examples for you to consider, if applicable. I’ll then put a document together for you that’s yours to use as a guide moving forward. How much can be accomplished in one 90 minute consultation largely depends on where we’re starting from and what your goals are for the space (for example, if you’re starting from scratch vs if you’re updating, editing or finishing a room).

This is one of the benefits of working with me. I can help you determine if it makes more sense for you to decorate or renovate given all the variables. I’m in your corner, helping you maximize & elevate what you have. Not every design problem needs a drastic solution to make a big impact. Let me be the first point of contact for you when you’re considering making changes. Whether you renovate or decorate, you’ll be better prepared without the pressures of a project in motion. Fixture and finish selections should be made as part of a cohesive design, so getting in touch before a renovation starts is ideal so you can be prepared for those decisions.

Whether you have a historic home or building that you’re maintaining/ improving, or just want to preserve the defining features that give your place character, there’s value in making sure preservation fits into your design plan. The craftsmanship and materials used in old buildings are expensive or cost‑prohibitive to replicate now; they often stand the test of time, a true testament to quality. These defining features add so much to the warmth, sustainability and value to a building. It’s my belief that “renovating with respect” to a building’s architectural integrity always results in a more harmonious and interesting design. When you work with me, you have the benefit of a design consultant that prioritizes quality over convenience or trends that come and go. I have hands on experience with various traditional restoration methods and materials, and I'm happy to share my knowledge and the helpful resources I've found over the years with my clients.